A Fundraising Success Story

Equipment World hosted a charity BBQ fundraiser at each location to support the “The 401 Project”. The Rett Syndrome Foundation has been raising funds to conduct research to reverse the MeCP2 duplication syndrome, which is affecting 3 year old Lincoln Tier, the son of Equipment World employee Nick Tier and his wife Brookes at the Sault Ste. Marie division.

For a few weeks Lincoln became the “talk of the North” as Equipment World promoted the BBQ events and The 401 Project. The response from the community, especially those in Sault Ste. Marie, was incredible! People from every community not only supported
the BBQ’s but also provided individual cash donations which were included in the overall funds raised. The result was a generous donation of $17,000 for The 401 Project.

Executive Director of the Rett Syndrome Foundation, Monica Coenraads says “On behalf of children and adults afflicted with MECP2 Duplication Syndrome and the families who love them, I congratulate the employees of Equipment World for their incredibly successful
efforts to raise research funds for this debilitating disorder. The extraordinary employees of Equipment World have rallied in support of their colleague, Nick Tier, whose 3 year old son, Lincoln, has the disorder. Colleagues have raised an amazing $17,000. I am pleased
to report that 100% of these funds will be invested in a research project currently ongoing in the laboratory of world renowned physician-scientist, Huda Zoghbi, at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Dr. Zoghbi will be exploring whether the devastating symptoms of the duplication syndrome are reversible. The three year project has a total budget of $236,000. Reversibility of symptoms would not only give families hope but will fuel the interest of the scientific community to commit their resources to this disorder.

The funds raised from Equipment World have helped catapult us over the finish line in terms of raising funds to fully commit to this project.

Furthermore, there are several key projects waiting in the wings which also need funding and global fundraising efforts continue.” Coenraads continues “The Rett Syndrome Research Trust (RSRT) is the premier organization exclusively devoted to global research
on Rett Syndrome and related MECP2 disorders. Our goal is to heal children and adults who will otherwise suffer the effects of these disorders for the rest of their lives. In an effort to immediately leverage RSRT’s deep knowledge base of MECP2 and well established
global scientific networks families affected by this syndrome recently announced the MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Fund at RSRT.

The Fund supports projects devoted to the study and means of treatment of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. 100% of every dollar contributed is invested in research – not a single penny goes to overhead.”

The Tier family did not want any personal compensation; their goal was to raise financial support for The 401 Project directly to help find a cure for this disorder. Thanks to the $17,000 raised by Equipment World employees, the Rett Syndrome Foundation has reached this next research goal. When this experiment is successful it means that children, like Lincoln, will have a better quality of life and should be able to live longer, less stressful lives.

After learning the success of the events, Lincoln’s mom, Brookes Tier said "I just wanted to again, Thank Equipment World for hosting this wonderful event. It was amazing to see all the people who came out to support our son Lincoln and all the other 200+ boys around
the world who are stricken with this cruel disorder. I cannot put into words, how amazing and humbling this has been. It is our hope that one day soon, there will be a cure! Our dream is closer to becoming a reality. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Lincoln is
definitely one lucky little man, and has captured many hearts."

For the past three years Nick’s family has struggled to help their son, Lincoln, stay healthy as he has had multiple bouts of pneumonia and other illnesses and they have had to travel numerous times to visit the Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto for treatment. Lincoln is unable to speak or walk, so his parents have learned to communicate with him in other ways and have special devices so he can have mobility and yet he still smiles and seems like a happy child. In addition to raising funds, it was the hope of the Tier family to spread the word about MeCP2 disease so that others do not have to suffer alone and to one day soon know that there will be a cure to help Lincoln enjoy many more birthdays!

Dan Tier, Lincoln’s Grandpa, had a few nice words to share "To Everyone at Equipment World, you people are what exemplifies the Northern Ontario business community and what sets it apart from the rest of Ontario and perhaps Canada. The time, energy,
compassion and commitment of your people which I witnessed today on behalf of a fellow employee truly re-affirmed my belief that people in the north always arise to, and surpass my expectations. You are thoughtful, compassionate, resourceful and when the time
comes, you act on those qualities."

The goal for Equipment World was to join together the forces of the 3 branch locations and to pool all funds raised for a common cause.

This was not only a fun way for the staff to work together, at a distance, but a great way to help out one of their own. Owner Lyle Knudsen says “The efforts put forth by our employees at each location are a real testament of the quality of people who work for us.
Each year we support a charity, this year we are thrilled to know that we have been able to directly impact the lives of so many families who struggle with this disorder including one very close to our hearts, Lincoln.”

For more details about Lincoln Tier, the 401 project and to see photos from the BBQ events: http://www.equipworld.com/article/about- the-401-project-1005.asp
To make a donation and to learn more about the 401 project, MeCP2 disorder / Lincoln Tier: http://www.401project.com/for-lincoln/

For information about the Rett Syndrome Foundation: http://www.rsrt.org/